December 24, 2006

2006: XO's Top 10 Favorite Albums

The Illustrious Top Three:

1. Pet Shop BoysFundamental (special edition)UKIf someone had told me in '04 that PSB was headed for a renaissance, I would have wistfully sighed. They'd hit the point where they were just doing one or two sublime songs per album. Fundamental is loaded with them. It's melodic, it hots all the PSB classic notes, and it is produced to minute perfection by Trevor Horn. Nothing is left to chance - there are brilliant details all over these songs. If you want to read more about what I said on this blog, just go to this PSB Guide.

2. The PipettesWe Are The PipettesUKI don't like 60's girl group music; never have, never will. For me, The Pipettes produce music that sounds like an 80's group (a la early Bananarama) doing a take on the 60's. I doubt I was alone in having a moment hearing Pull Shapes for the first time. Thrillingly, the album stood up to the promise and the girls proved to be collectible with their b-sides as well. They are only artists to have two songs on my 2006 Essential Mix.Standout tracks: Pull Shapes, Sex, A Winter's Sky, Judy, Your Kisses...

3. Charlotte Gainsbourg5:55FR/UKI strangely never reviewed this CD, but it has been on constant rotation (if MP3s can be on rotation). It is the most modern, uber-cool record this year, with music written and performed by Air, lyrics by Jarvis Cocker and Neil Hannon and wipsy vocals by my beloved Charlotte. It's the kind of record that makes you feel like stripping it all down, throwing out your material bullshit and being totally minimal.

Standout tracks: The Songs That We Sing, The Operation, Little Monsters, 5:55

The Best Of The Rest, in no order:Amy WinehouseBack To BlackUKA rare album that actually has a theme! Do I need to tell you what it is? Addiction. To drink, to drugs, to men, to drama, to "fuckery." It is soulful, totally frank and very funny. The press twists lot of what Amy (and Lily) say and do - it's projected onto them to create the saleable story of wild bitches in pop. Move beyond it and listen to the tunes.

Standout tracks: Rehab, Tears Dry On Their Own, Back To Black, AddictedThe Upper RoomOther People’s ProblemsUKI owe this discovery to The Zapping! The late, great Upper Room harkened back to the great 80's era of British pop. Buoyant, melodic, heart-on-sleeve, via unrequited love (the ecstatic Black And White) or fuck offs (Leave Me Alone). No one sings this way anymore and it was so refreshing to near this kind of voice (Alex Miller) again. It seems to me you lived your like a candle in the wind, Upper Room... whatever, the best music often ends in tears.

HARD-FiStars Of CCTVUKRock band noted for disco leanings (covered by Sugababes!) and a thick Brit accent via lead Richard Archer. This group can do it all, from swaggering (Hard To Beat) to sweetly emotive (Move On Now). Ecstatic music! Can't wait for the next disc. Standout tracks: Hard To Beat, Move On Now, Living For the Weekend, Stars Of CCTV

RazorlightRazorlightUKI love Johnny Borrell, a classic skinny-rock star-cum-sex-god, and I love his willingness to do pop music that has melody and emotion. This album polarized reviewers and bloggers, but I love it. Pop kids, give this one a chance. Plus, he wears white jeans really well.

Kate HavnevikMelanktonNORNu-Bjork, maybe, but it's a huge-sounding record flooded with great tunes; many are collaborations with Frou Frou's Guy Sigsworth. Derivative? A little. Epic? Yes.Standout tracks: Unlike Me, Sleepless, Kaleidoscope

Skye EdwardsMind How You GoUKThanks to Tremble Clef for Skye. This is another misunderstood record that suffered from listener neglect. I learned to love this when wanting to play something soft in my office. The lyrics are quite strong on some tracks and meant a lot to me on my dour days.Standout tracks: Tell Me All About Your Day, Stop Complaining, Love Show

Lily AllenAlright, StillUKWhat a spunky debut record! Another album that lived up to the promise of its singles. Don't listen to old hookers who slag Lily (!), just listen to the honesty in Friend Of Mine... "You're no friend of mine / I've known it for a long time...", the hilarious characters in Knock 'Em Out or the feminista singsonginess of Everything's Just Wonderful. With brilliant videos and b-sides added, she is a perfect pop package.Standout tracks: Smile, LDN, Knock 'Em Out, Friend Of Mine

***********************************Strong Albums That Had To Be Cut From This List:

Captain This Is Hazelville, Jamelia Walk With Me, Neko Case Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, Delays You See Colours, The Divine Comedy Victory For The Comic Muse, The Feeling 12 Stops And Home, Camera Obscura Let's Get Out Of This Country, Pink I'm Not Dead